Home page » Leweston Seniors » Academic Life » Geography » GCSE

Geography GCSE

The GCSE Geography syllabus is divided into a number of components: tectonic activity, rocks and landscapes, coasts, population, industry, managing resources and tourism and skills related to map work.

The syllabus is ‘skills-based' which means that pupils learn how to collect, use and interpret geographical facts and figures (data) from a wide range of sources. They will gain confidence ‘in the field' by a number of fieldwork excursions and will also use atlases, texts, O.S. maps, video material, rock samples, and reference books to build up a picture of the dynamic geographical landscape. Much of the work is enquiry based using individual resources; students are encouraged to work as individuals and think for themselves.

There are two written papers which are set at two tiers (Foundation and Higher). Each tier examines broadly similar issues and resources. The Foundation Tier utilises short structured questions. The Higher Tier includes opportunities for some more extended answers. In addition students carry out an Individual Study completed by the end of the Spring Term Year 11 and based on personal research of a topic chosen by the student, in consultation with the teacher.